Another fall

I climbed Shotgun this morning and attempted to break my no dismount record at 42.5 minutes.

Approaching the last ascent, I took advantage of the momentum from the descent. I kept on pedaling until the bike slowed down; then I shifted to granny - front gear to the smallest cog. However, the chain overshot and disengaged from the crank. The bike suddenly stopped and I immediately unclipped my left foot, which I usually do; but, lo and behold, the bike leaned to the right. It's too late to unclip my right foot. And, BANG!

Fortunately, I suffered no injury not even a minor scratch. The saddle though of my Marin Alpine 29er was slightly damaged.

I replaced the chain and continued pedaling. And, the attempt was aborted.

My new water bottle

I bought a new water bottle. It's a Camelbak Podium Chill.

Morong to Subic and back to Morong

This morning, from the resort in Morong, Bataan,

I pedaled all the way up to Subic Free Port Zone.

But, up to the Morong gate only.

U-turned

And, took a rest in a bikers pit stop before proceeding back to Morong.

Distance traveled was about 40 kilometers.

Balanga to Morong ride pictures

My family, in two cars, overtook me at the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. And, these pictures were taken my my daughter, Jaja.

Balanga City to Morong, Bataan

We're back to Bataan again this weekend for another family outing.

Today, we drove from Novaliches to Balanga City and rendezvoused at my sister-in-law's house. From there, I left ahead at 9:30 am and pedaled all the way to Morong, Bataan. It took me three hours, enduring the long uphills and enjoying the long downhills, to reach my destination. My family, in two cars, overtook me somewhere after the gate of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

After two hours of ride, I stopped, replenished my water, and a little rest.

When there's uphill,

There's downhill

Finally, I arrived at Phi-Phi Resort

Rehydrate, rehydrate:

My new headlight

I've been pedaling at night. I use two headlights (one is steady and the other's blinking) and two or three blinking rear lights. The headlights are fine if riding on streets with street lights. Otherwise, they aren't bright enough to illuminate the road.

So, I bought a brighter light - a Cateye HL-EL320. I also keep the other headlight as a blinker. Now, I could bike safer even on a dark night.

No dismount climb to Mount Samat in 48 minutes

My first climb to Mount Samat was in Christmas 2009. I dismounted to rest 5 or 6 times. I made another climb in June 2010 with two dismounts.

Last month, I attempted to climb it again coming and pedaling all the way from Novaliches. But, I arrived in Balanga at dusk already. So, I didn't push through with the climb.

Last night, we attended the debut celebration of our niece in Balanga City. Hence, this morning, I had the opportunity to climb Mt. Samat again. And, I'd attempt of doing it non-stop, no dismount - from the arch to the gate.

From Balanga City, I pedaled up to the arch of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. After setting my stop watch, I pedaled off and up. At the gate, my stop watch read exactly 48 minutes.

My new Timberland record

It's been quite a time since I timed my Timberland climb.

I did again this morning; and, it's 19 minutes and 30 seconds. My previous best time was 20 minutes and 30 seconds last February 6.

By the way, I met Jester of Team Adventureros and his officemate, Ted, on my way up. It's the first time Ted climbed the Wall to Timberland.

Me and Jester. The bike on the left is Ted's Trek 29er.

All Terra Eco Trails (Blue Zone)

This morning, I experienced the Blue Zone of All Terra Eco Trails in Mount Maarat in San Mateo, Rizal. Currently, there are two zones - the Blue and the Green. The blue zone is for the more experienced mountain bikers; while the green zone for newbies. These trails are newly built and have been opened for quite some time. I was planning to test the green zone first before trying the blue zone.

But, the Tour of Posers, which I joined this morning, had the blue zone in its itinerary. So, I had no choice but to go to the blue zone. True enough, the blue zone is really for the more experienced mountain / trail bikers.

At the entrance of the zone, I already felt scary. Fortunately, I was able to conquer my fear. The trails are really technical. I made some assessments in some downhill areas and decided to bike push.

Araw ng Kagitingan ride

Yesterday, I joined the PhilMoFo's bikers to the trails of Macabud, Rodriguez; San Jose Del Monte City and Norzagaray, Bulacan. We rendezvoused in San Mateo, Rizal and proceeded to our destinations at around 7:30 am.

It was my first time in these trails; hence, I encountered difficulties especially in downhills and uphills. Actually, this is the most difficult ride I've ever made.

Me, Ben, Milo, Lexter, Raf, and Chris.

Back to Shotgun after 3 months

The last time I climbed Shotgun was last December 11. It had been a long time; and, I decided to go back there this morning.

With TweetyPot, I pedaled all the way to San Mateo, Rizal. At Aling Tina's Eatery, there's the group of Ageless Warriors going up to Shotgun; and, I was invited to join them.

At about 7:30 am, we took off to Shotgun up to Giant Store via the Roxas trail. After eating our breakfast, we pedaled back to Aling Tina's via the Basic Trail and Timberland.

Thanks for the wonderful ride, Ageless Warriors, and hoping to ride with you again soon.

The answer to my handlebar grips problem

The stock handlebar grips of my Marin Alpine Trail 29er were slipping. I put some adhesive but the problem recurred after sometime.

I was thinking of replacing them with grips with lock-on.

Yesterday, I brought my bike to the bike shop, where I bought it, for the replacement of the broken spoke and for tune up.

There, I found the answer to my slipping grips. I bought a pair of the lock on grips and replaced the old ones. The brand of the grips is Answer. A pair is P1,100.